JOSHUA ANGUS FROM GRETNA AND SUFFOLK CONVICTED OF RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT IN GLASGOW

In a disturbing case that has garnered significant attention, Joshua Angus, a 30-year-old man originally from Gretna and now residing in Suffolk, is set to face sentencing next month after being convicted of serious sexual offenses. The crimes took place in 2014 at an address in Gretna, where Angus committed acts of rape against a teenage girl.

According to court proceedings, Angus made a shocking confession to a friend via social media platform Facebook, revealing that he had raped a girl who was only 15 years old at the time. This revelation was made publicly on his profile, and it was this disclosure that ultimately led to his arrest and subsequent conviction. His friend, who was deeply shocked by the confession, took immediate action by reporting the matter to the police authorities.

Further evidence presented in court included a message sent by Angus directly to his victim, in which he expressed remorse in explicit terms. Despite his remorse, Angus maintained a denial of the rape charges during the trial at the High Court in Glasgow. Nevertheless, the jury found him guilty of raping the teenager on two separate occasions between January and May 2014. The court's verdict confirmed his involvement in these heinous acts, which have left a lasting impact on the victim and the community.

In addition to the convictions related to the 2014 offenses, Angus also admitted to a separate incident of sexual assault involving a 14-year-old girl. This incident occurred during a bus journey from Dumfries to Glasgow in April 2017, where he was found to have touched her breast and leg while she was asleep. This act of indecent assault further compounded his criminal record.

Prosecutor Shanti Maguire highlighted that Angus has no prior convictions but noted that he has some learning difficulties, which may have influenced his behavior. The court took a stern stance on his actions, with Judge Lord Mulholland remanding him into custody and ordering his registration on the sex offenders register. The judge emphasized the gravity of the charges, stating, "Rape is the most serious charge you can face other than murder," underscoring the severity of Angus's crimes and the need for strict judicial consequences.